Wed, 24 Apr 2013, 20:13 PMNobile Returns to Site of Recent Success at Royal Purple Raceway

Courtesy of NHRA CommunicationsPhoto copyright 2013 NHRA

BAYTOWN, Texas --

Vincent Nobile

For Vincent Nobile entering an event where he is the two-time defending champion and where he
recorded his first Mello Yello Drag Racing Series victory will give him an extra boost of
confidence at the upcoming O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start
Batteries, April 26-28.

In 2011, Nobile was in his first full season in the Pro Stock category and had raced to one final
round appearance at the third race of the season in Las Vegas. When the series entered Houston for
the fifth race of season, Nobile and his father, who serves as crew chief, once again found
themselves in the finals at the end of the day. Nobile was able to defeat local favorite Rodger
Brogdon and hoisted an NHRA Wally trophy for the first time in his career.

"That was a pretty emotional day," Nobile said. "The best memory of it all was seeing my dad at the
top end after we had won. I instantly broke down into tears because it has been a goal of my
father's to win an NHRA race for 20 years, and we finally accomplished it together."

When the series returned to Royal Purple Raceway in 2012 it was under similar circumstances as he
again was the runner-up at Las Vegas earlier in the season. Nobile again powered to the finals and
defeated Dave Connolly to claim his fourth career victory. While he has had success at the venue he
by no means thinks he has complete mastery of the track.

"It honestly has been just coincidence and a little bit of luck," he continued. "We never qualified
in the top three there so it's not as if we have a performance advantage at that track, but for
whatever reason Royal Purple Raceway treats my team well."

The O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals is the sixth of 24 events in 2013 and has produced
record setting performances at a track that is only 10 feet above sea level. Morgan Lucas (Top
Fuel), Mike Neff (Funny Car) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) join Nobile as winners of the
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event last season. The race will be televised on ESPN2 HD,
which will provide live coverage of Saturday qualifying and Sunday's semifinals and final rounds.

Nobile and his Mountain View Tire Dodge Avenger team have joined forces with J & J Racing with
Allen Johnson and Jeg Coughlin as teammates for the 2013 season and are currently fifth in points.
They won the season-opening event in Pomona and while they have tasted success they are confident
the best is yet to come.

Vincent Nobile

"I have a hard working team who doesn't give up," Nobile said. "I definitely think we have a shot
at the championship. We are currently not running up to our par, but I know we will get it
straightened out by the time it really counts, the Countdown to the Championship."

In Top Fuel, Tony Schumacher has added two more NHRA Wally trophies to his collection with wins in
Phoenix and Las Vegas, and he has been atop of the points standings early in the season. His Don
Schumacher Racing teammates Antron Brown and Spencer Massey are both on his heels and will be
looking for wins at Royal Purple Raceway, along with defending event winner Morgan Lucas,
Winternationals winner Shawn Langdon and past Houston winners Brandon Bernstein and Doug Kalitta.

Courtney Force leads the Funny Car category with two final round appearances thus far in the season
with one win in Pomona. Also splitting time atop the points standings have been Ron Capps and
Johnny Gray, who will both be serious contenders when the series visits the Lone Star state.
Others to watch in Funny Car include Las Vegas winner Cruz Pedregon, a two-time winner at RPR,
seven-time event winner John Force and Del Worsham, who has earned both Top Fuel and Funny Car wins
in Houston.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Hector Arana Jr. rides into the event as series points leader on the
strength of his season-opening win in Gainesville and will be looking for continued success aboard
his Lucas Oil Buell at a track where he has fond memories. However, Andrew Hines will be going for
his fourth consecutive victory at the Texas track on his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines
Harley-Davidson. Other two-wheel racers to watch include three-time and defending world champ Eddie
Krawiec, Matt Smith, Scotty Pollacheck, veteran rider Steve Johnson and Hector Arana Sr.

The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series as well as the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series also will
thrill the crowds during the weekend with intense side-by-side competition.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as every ticket
is an exclusive pit pass, allowing them firsthand to see the highly skilled mechanics service their
hot rods between rounds. While visiting the pits, interactive NHRA Nitro Alley and the NHRA
Manufacturers Midway are two popular areas fans won't want to miss.

• SCHEDULE: Mello Yello Series qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and
5:45 p.m. on Friday, April 26 and continue on Saturday, April 27 at noon and 2:15 p.m. Final
eliminations begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 28.

• TICKETS: Tickets are available for the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals
presented by Super Start Batteries at www.royalpurpleraceway.com or by calling Royal Purple Raceway
at (281) 383-RACE (7223). Children 13 and younger will receive free general admission tickets with
a paid adult.

• TELEVISION: ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 3
p.m. (ET) on Saturday, April 27 and three hours of eliminations coverage at 2 p.m. (ET) on Sunday,
April 28.